One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner
One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta is your new go-to easy dinner. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly cooked pasta and juicy sausage in just one pot. The crispy sausage and creamy pasta will make your kitchen cozy and inviting. Try it with my Sour Cream and Onion Biscuits for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Sour Cream and Onion Biscuits and Ultimate Chicken Caesar Wraps.
Why This One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Perfectly cooked pasta every time
- Juicy, crispy sausage in every bite
- Easy cleanup with just one pot
- Ready in under 20 minutes
What You'll Need for One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage
- 8 oz (225g) penne pasta
- 1 cup (240ml) BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup (120ml) honey
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (115g) shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Italian sausage: You can use mild or spicy sausage, depending on your preference.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfectly cooked sausage and pasta → See on Amazon
- Instant-Read Meat Thermometer — Ensures sausage is cooked to a safe temperature every time → See on Amazon
How to Make One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner
- Step 1: Remove sausage from casings and crumble into a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Add uncooked pasta, chicken broth, BBQ sauce, and honey to the skillet with the sausage. Stir to combine.
- Step 3: Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Step 4: Stir in the shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes for a little heat, if desired.
- Step 5: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and additional red pepper flakes if desired. Enjoy your One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta!
Cook's Tips for Perfect One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It will continue to cook in the liquid as it absorbs it, so make sure it's al dente when you add the liquid.
- Pro tip: For a spicier version, try using spicy Italian sausage and adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Pro tip: To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute the penne pasta for your favorite gluten-free pasta.
Storing & Reheating One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the sausage and sauce up to 2 days ahead. Store separately in the fridge until ready to combine with the pasta.
Freezing One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner
Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Crumbling the sausage into the skillet helps it cook evenly and quickly.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the Italian sausage for ground beef or turkey if desired.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and reheated for a quick and easy dinner.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the pasta is not cooking evenly, you may need to add a little more liquid and cook it a bit longer.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-Quality BBQ Sauce — Enhances the flavor of the dish and pays for itself vs takeout → Check price on Amazon
One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage
- 8 oz (225g) penne pasta
- 1 cup (240ml) BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup (120ml) honey
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (115g) shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Remove sausage from casings and crumble into a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Add uncooked pasta, chicken broth, BBQ sauce, and honey to the skillet with the sausage. Stir to combine.
- Step 3: Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Step 4: Stir in the shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes for a little heat, if desired.
- Step 5: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and additional red pepper flakes if desired. Enjoy your One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta!
Notes
- Chef tip: Crumbling the sausage into the skillet helps it cook evenly and quickly.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the Italian sausage for ground beef or turkey if desired.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and reheated for a quick and easy dinner.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the pasta is not cooking evenly, you may need to add a little more liquid and cook it a bit longer.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the sausage and sauce up to 2 days ahead. Store separately in the fridge until ready to combine with the pasta.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 75g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 1500mg
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the sausage and sauce up to 2 days ahead. Store separately in the fridge until ready to combine with the pasta.
The pasta may have been overcooked or not enough liquid was used. Make sure to use enough liquid and cook the pasta until it's al dente.
No, this recipe is best made on the stovetop in a skillet.
You can substitute the Italian sausage for ground beef or turkey if desired.
Yes, this hearty and comforting dish is perfect for a cozy fall dinner. Serve it with a side of crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
